Regular Module, 5 session

Art and History of the Cinema
Brescia University, Art 382

I. Time:. Fridays 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Jan 7, 21, Feb 4, 18, March 4-, 2005
Room: 111A

II. Ways of Communication with Students: Monty Helm, monty@montyhelm.com. EMail or available by phone MWF after 5 p.m. and before 9:30 p.m. at 683-8256. If by chance I am unavailable at this time, leave message with answering service and I will respond ASAP. Meetings by appointment. On Line Class Information: thestudioarts.com

III. PREREQUISITE: Art Appreciation (Art180) or Art History Survey (280 or 281) or Advance standing in degree program or any upper division art history course/s.

VI. REQUIRED TEXT , Sklar, Robert, A World History of Film. NY: Abrams, 2002.

V. General Education Requirements: The course, History and Art of the Cinema, in relation to value outcomes, presents the student with the study of an immense variety of cultures from all over the world . Cinema is a century old medium that has documented its own history in every vein of society through its comedy and tragedy. In this course international film study exposes the student to a diversity in social structure; personal expression; and political, religious, and social values.. Cinema provides students with a common ground to discuss and interpret ethical values and intellectual concepts.
In regard to knowledge outcome, students will expand their sensitivity to the arts through an in depth study and examination of the film style of the director as well as artistic content. Students will identify the contributing factors (individuals, events, discoveries, political thought, economic practices, and geographic influences) and how these elements contribute to the development of artistic style and innovation of the period.

VI. The course is an upper division art history. Art majors: fulfills 3 credit hours of the upper division art history requirement. Non majors: fulfills 3 credit hours of the required Fine Arts electives.

VII. Department and University Wide Curriculum. Students will exercise skills in logic, creative and philosophical thought, and critical analysis to achieve understanding in the arts. These skills will be demonstrated verbally and literally as they interpret classroom and individual research experiences in the form of writing, discussion and presentation. Student's research skills in library science will be realized as a key to success. These skills will lead students to obtain information necessary for critical analysis, both in their research assignments, classroom discussion, and presentations. Students will experience film art and history first hand and utilize their skills in analysis through direct contact with the art form. Students will develop analytical skills in an environment which promotes discussion and diversity of thought. The success factors mentioned in this statement will be reflected in the participation of the student in the classroom, the assigned research, writing and readings, and examination.

VIII. COURSE DESCRIPTION
A course emphasizing the study of film in its historical perspective and as an art form. Students will recognize "the director", not only as a film maker, but the master artist in lead of a variety of specialized artists and artisans; in a manner quite similar to the traditional artist workshop. This workshop, so to speak, is a blend of both visual and performance oriented individuals. Through cooperative talent along with technological developments, a new twentieth century art form has emerged. Through historical research and direct experience with film, students will have the opportunity to rationalize and develop an understanding of cinema first hand.

COURSE OBJECTIVE
The objective of this course is for the student to develop a clear understanding of the art and history of the cinema. It is an objective for the student to comprehend the sequential history of the media, in terms of individual innovation and technological advances. In addition, a major focus of attention is the artistic value of film - a medium, that communicates ideas and expression, visually. Students will incorporate into their film experience the ability to critically analyze and recognize, the visual elements that co-relate with theme or concept.

COURSE OUTLINE

Session One and Two: Early Cinema and The Silent Era
During these sessions students will be introduced to the cinema and its beginnings. Directions on analysis and critical writing on film will be given. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the silent era. Students will be assigned a director for their main research paper. Students will be assigned a film review, due second and third

Session Three and Four: Sound Cinema and the Introduction of Color
During these sessions students will discern how technological developments in cinema vastly changed the art form. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the sound era. An introduction to Modern Cinema will be presented at the end of the fourth session. Students will be assigned a film to review, due fourth session.

Session Five: Modern Cinema
Film review due. Research paper due. During this session students will analyze modern cinema, focusing on the refinement and variety of approaches utilized by directors in presenting their art. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the modern era.

IX. The Principal instruction technique will be conducted through slide lectures, presentations, and open class discussion.
X. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Late work: Work must be handed in on time - late work will merit a drop in letter grade.

Academic Dishonesty: Acts of academic dishonesty merit a failing grade in the course and will be reported to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts.

Writing papers: Writing papers is a major means of communicating knowledge, ideas, and critical analysis in this course. In writing papers, take notes on your subject as you read and use an outline to organize your ideas and research. This approach will allow you to present your subject in your own fashion, communicating through your own words. Papers in which information is continually taken directly from another individual's authorship without metamorphosis of idea will be graded accordingly.

Pre-assignment: Write a (2 typed pages, 12 point font) paper on the early developments of the cinema. Use your first reading assignment from your text as your main source (page 1 - 75). Feel free to utilize other sources to develop your paper. In this paper focus on the individuals and innovations that are both artistic and technical in achievement. Note important directors and artists. In your reading consider where things happened, particularly in terms of country, individuals, and technology.

Outside of class reviews: Students will be required to view three assigned films outside of class and write a critical review (2 typed pages, 12 point font) on the film. The criteria for this assignment will be discussed in class.

In class papers: Discussion on the criteria for these papers will be held in class. (Normally: 1 to 2 hand written pages).

Research paper on a director: Students will be assigned to write (5 typed pages, 12 point font) research paper on a director assigned during the first class. Criteria includes: biographical information, innovations, successes/failures, films, and influences (artistic, cultural, and social). Students should site sources and include a bibliography.

Method of evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their completion of assignments in a timely manner. Written and oral responses to questions and assignments presented to the student are expected to reflect the knowledge gained from class lectures and presentation, individual study, and assigned readings.

Reading Assignments
Class I. Page 1 through 75
Class II. Pages 76 through 155
Class III. Pages 156 through 255
Class IV. Pages 256 through 403
Class V. Pages 406 through 553

X. Assignment grade % value.
Pre-assignment paper. 8%
Five in-class papers. 50%
Three outside reviews. 24%
Research paper on a director. 18%

Grade Scale: 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, 59-below F

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barsam, Lewis, The Movies as Medium. NY: Doubleday, 1977.

Cinema, A Critical Dictionary, V. 1 and 2, Roud, Richard, editor. London:Seck and Warburg, 1980.

Fell, John, Film, An Introduction. NY: Praeger Publishing, 1975.

Fulton, A.R., Motion Pictures. Norman, OK: Oklahoma Press, 1960.

Hutchinson, Tom, Screen Goddess. NY: Exeter Books, 1984.

Jacobs, Lewis, The Movies as Medium. NY: Doubleday, 1970.

Leish, Kenneth, Cinema. NY: Newsweek Books, 1974.

New York Times Film Reviews.

Sinyard, Neil, Silent Movies. NY: Gallery Books, 1990.